ChevroletCamaro1998Overview/chevrolet/camaro/1998/base/

1998 Chevrolet Camaro

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Camaro.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1998 Chevrolet Camaro enters the record as a passenger car specified with a 4.5-quart oil capacity running 5W-30 API viscosity, and its reliability profile shows 202 owner complaints topped by service brake hydraulic issues alongside four recalls. Across the model's tracked history from 1990 through 2023, the 1998 edition sits well below the peak complaint year of 2010 at 295 reports and above the modern low of 13 in 2022, placing it in the middle tier of the nameplate's documented trouble spectrum. That positioning suggests a model year with notable but not extreme documented issues, where brake hydraulics stand out as the primary focus for anyone researching ownership experience.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820171998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 75 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 75 · 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-, 6.5-JJ; 6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731175 alt 12731172
Engine air filter25042562
Fuel filter25121293 discontinued
Spark plug12681664 alt 12621258
Front wiper blades22143969 discontinued
Serpentine belt12569527 alt 19172681
Thermostat24506985 alt 24506986

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height52 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight3459 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Camaro of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 1998 Z28 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998Z28 Coupe 5.7L V85.20 sec13.70 sec305 hpRWD
1997Z28 Pace Car Coupe 5.7L V85.50 sec13.90 sec285 hpRWD
1999Z28 Coupe 5.7L V85.20 sec13.80 sec305 hpRWD
1999Z28 Convertible 5.7L V85.50 sec14.00 sec305 hpRWD
1999V-6 Coupe 3.8L V67.70 sec16.10 sec200 hpRWD
1996Z28 Coupe 5.7L V85.70 sec14.10 sec285 hpRWD
1996Z28 Coupe 5.7L V85.70 sec14.20 sec285 hpRWD
1996Z28 Convertible 5.7L V85.90 sec14.20 sec285 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.6 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)22 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)74 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts74 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5000-7000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug TypeAC 41-606
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance690 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature178-198 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)48-55

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs / 160 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle160 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.006 in / 0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.02 in / 1.26 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110 ft. lbs., step 2: 76110 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2120 degrees120 degrees
3turn 30
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep M11 Bolts (1-10):

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
3Bolts 1-890 degrees
122
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.6 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1811 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miShift Linkage (inspect)
At 7,500 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across this generation, the Camaro experienced a steady climb in Technical Service Bulletins and fluctuating complaint levels. The 1998 model year marks a significant spike in activity, with 202 complaints compared to only 77 in 1997 and 98 in 1999. The most frequent reports for 1998 centered on "Service Brakes, Hydraulic" (79) and "Engine & Engine Cooling" (16), though the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. While investigations dropped to zero in 1998, the year still saw 18 crash and 5 fire complaints alongside 4 recalls. Because of this sharp increase in complaints relative to the surrounding years, this is not a recommended year to buy.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
92
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
202
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 5 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 202 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic79
Engine & Engine Cooling16
Power Train12
Electrical System11
Visibility10
Steering9
Fuel System, Gasoline8
Air Bags7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 92 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
17-NA-0732023-02-21EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…
PIP4723F2022-01-14Service Brakes, HydraulicThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIP4723D2020-01-31Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIC4696E2019-11-22EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
PIC4696D2019-09-05EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Camaro. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Camaro take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Camaro have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.